GE Security Lab at San Francisco International Airport Works to Improve Security, Convenience for Air Travelers.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Checkpoint of the Future Laboratory Explores Innovative New Aviation Security Technologies

GE Security (NYSE: GE), with support from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), today unveiled a first-of-its-kind laboratory it expects will help identify, develop and make available technology solutions that will help to make air travel safer, security potentially less costly and negotiating passenger checkpoints more convenient.

The "Checkpoint of the Future" laboratory, adjacent to SFO's international terminal concourse A, passenger security area, offers a complete, real-world lane for evaluating existing and emerging security products and technologies. The lab's aim is to identify technology solutions that may dramatically improve checkpoint security while driving down the total cost of ownership for government and airport operators around the world.

An expected benefit of research to be conducted at the checkpoint lab is significant enhancements to passenger convenience through reduced requirements for divestiture of clothing and other items. It's hoped that the lab will identify solutions that improve security while eventually eliminating the need for passengers to remove shoes and coats, as well as cell phones and other items from their pockets, or laptop computers from their bags.

"GE's vision for the future airport passenger checkpoint calls for not only much improved security, but also a much improved passenger experience," said David Weber, general manager, aviation and transportation, GE Security's Homeland Protection business. "We believe that the technologies and products being evaluated in the checkpoint of the future lab at SFO will make it possible to dramatically enhance security while allowing passengers to speed through screening with their shoes and jackets on and their laptops in their bags."

"Advanced explosives detection in U.S. airports is currently only in widespread use for screening checked baggage, which leaves carry-on luggage and passengers mostly untouched by these advanced technologies," said Matthew Farr, senior homeland security analyst, Frost & Sullivan. "As the market leader in explosives detection, GE Security has shown again its ability to put forth advanced technologies, which will help secure commercial airline traffic in the United States and around the world."

In its initial configuration, the checkpoint lab will examine the benefits of using three emerging technologies not in current use for passenger screening operations to deliver on the vision for the passenger checkpoint of the future. They include millimeter wave and quadrupole resonance for scanning passengers and their shoes for the presence of threat objects. Computed tomography (CT), already used extensively for screening of passengers' checked bags, will also be used for screening their carry-on items.

In its current configuration, the lab is not being used for screening of actual passengers for entry to secure portions of the airport, though its public location may in the future allow for public testing of various products and solutions.

Ultimately, it's the hope of GE to be able to present real-world security solutions to the TSA and other operators of aviation security systems around the world for their consideration.

About GE's Security Business

GE's Security business is a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) focused on communication and information technologies for security, safety and lifestyle enhancements. GE Security has operations in more than 30 countries and is represented by some of the best-known brand names for intrusion and fire detection, access and building control, video surveillance, explosive and drug detection, key management and structured wiring. For more information about GE Security and our product offerings, please visit www.gesecurity.com.

About San Francisco International Airport

SFO (www.flysfo.com) connects non-stop with more than 60 cities in the United States on 20 domestic airlines, including more than twice as many non-stop flights to the New York area than other Bay Area airports combined. In addition, SFO offers non-stop links with more than 29 international points on 25 international carriers, making SFO the Bay Area's Airport of Choice.